Mark Arteaga

Well the title is a little vague but when writing an applicaiton how do you know what platform your code is running on?  Not if you are running on Windows Mobile PocketPC or SmartPhone (you can use OpenNETCF.WindowsCE.DeviceManagement.PlatformName), but if you are running on the desktop using the .NET Framework or a device using the .NET Compact Framework.  For the Mobility Workshop on Saturday I wanted to show a way to distingush if the code was on the .NET Framework or on the Compact Framework so I came up with this class (which was derived from a typed dataset generated code using Compact Framework)

This past weekend I was at the San Diego .NET Users Group Mobile Developement Workshop with Nick Landry.  Thanks to Andrew Kracher and Brian Leosgen for having me out.

My first session was on .NET Compact Framework and OpenNETCF Smart Device Framework.  For those interested in the Smart Device Framework you can download the free version here and here for all the samples I presented during the session.  You can also download the presentation here.

My last session on .NET Compact Framework for the Desktop Developer I ran out of time and didn't get to complete the demos.  If you want to go through the completed demos you can download it here.  You can also download the presentation here.  The last part of the session was on sharing code with the desktop and device.  Here are some helpfull links on that:

• http://www.danielmoth.com/Blog/2005/08/sharing-cursorwaitcursor-and.html
• http://www.danielmoth.com/Blog/2004/09/share-code-if-fullframe_17.html

During my last session I went through a little on the .NET Micro Framework.  There currently isn't much information yet but here are some links that may be of interest.

1. www.aboutnetmf.com - sign up to be notified about .NET Micro Framework
2. Video on Channel9 by Donald Thompson and Colin Miller (Group Manager)
3. FAQ in .NET Micro Framework by Chris Tacke
4. High Level overview by Daniel Moth

If there are anymore followup questions you can contact me through this blog.

Nic Sagez the Product Manager for Windows Embedded has put together a survey to collect feedback on Windows CE 6 Shared Source Kits.  If you want to give your feedback and input on the for Windows CE 6 make sure you fill out the survey.

This Saturday (May 20 2006) I will be in San Diego doing a Mobile Development Workshop for the San Diego .NET Users Group.  I will be presenting two sessions. 

The first one will be '.NET Compact Framework 2.0 and OpenNETCF Smart Device Framework 2.0' and go through how you can use a combination of both to speed up your development lifecycle. 
Abstract: There have been many changes in the Compact Framework from Version 1 to Version 2. With these changes there also came changes in the Smart Device Framework 2.0 (SDF2.0). Come to this session to see what's new and cool in the SDF2.0, how the SDF compliments the Compact Framework, learn the many different features available in the SDF, some of the major changes from SDF1.4 to SDF2.0 and how to take advantage of the SDF so you can concentrate on building your Compact Framework application whether your are developing for an enterprise application or a commercial application.

The second one will be '.NET Compact Framework 2.0 for the Desktop Developer' and talk about some the Compact Framework from the perspective of the desktop developer.
Abstract: This session will talk about the main differences between the .Net Framework and the Compact Framework and how development differs between the two. In addition, we will also spend some time during this presentation going over how to build a common library of code that can be shared between desktop and mobile applications.

ActiveNick (Nick Landry) will also be doing do presentations on 'Introduction to Mobile Development' and 'Mobile Development Security'.

If you are in the San Diego area, hope you can join us!

Well for those who went to MEDC in Las Vegas hopefully it was as great for you as it was for me.  It was my first time presenting in front of a large crowd (> 25 people) on stage with a mic, and I think in the end it went well.  For anyone who missed the session (.NET Compact Framework 2.0 and OpenNETCF Smart Device Framework 2.0) I will be giving it again this Saturday.  See here for more details.

I also had six demos that showed how to use .NET Compact Framework 2.0 and Smart Device Framework 2.0 together to help shorten your development lifecycle.  They are now now available with the free version of the Smart Device Framework.  All should be functional straight out of the box.

Go ahead and download it and let us know what you think and your feature requests.

It was about this time last year I launched my company Neoteric Software Development.  Since then lots has happened and business has been great.  For the past few months I have been primarily doing work for OpenNETCF Consulting as Chris Tacke points out here.  If you click on the link to www.neotericsdc.com you will notice that Neoteric is now a part of OpenNETCF Consulting and I will be running the Canadian operations. Read the press release here.

So, if you are looking at implementing mobile or embedded solutions using Windows Mobile or Windows CE or if you are looking for products to help enhance your development experience look no further than OpenNETCF Consulting.  With seven principal partners based in the US, UK and Canada and all being either Microsoft .NET Compact Framework or Windows Embedded MVPs, OpenNETCF can definitely help with your embedded/mobile projects.

OpenNETCF Consulting is open for business.